Factors Contributing to Rapid Early Infarct Expansion in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients With Large Vessel Occlusion.

Background Acute ischemic stroke, particularly in cases involving large vessel occlusion (LVO), poses a significant challenge due to the potential for rapid infarct expansion in the early phase. Such expansion, if not managed promptly, can lead to severe neurological deficits and poor clinical outcomes. Understanding the contributing factors that accelerate early infarct expansion is crucial for optimizing treatment strategies and improving patient prognosis. The main aim of the study is to determine the factors contributing to rapid early infarct expansion in acute ischemic stroke patients with LVO. Methodology The retrospective study was conducted at Liaquat National Hospital in Karachi from August 2023 to December 2023. Data were collected from 685 patients with anterior circulation LVO-related acute stroke with witnessed stroke onset and baseline perfusion imaging. Extracted clinical data included age, gender, medical history (hypertension, diabetes, etc.), and baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores. Results The mean age of the included patients was 67.4 years, with a relatively balanced gender distribution, i.e., 48.5% male (n = 332) and 51.5% female (n = 353). The mean baseline NIHSS score was 14.2, reflecting initial neurological severity. Imaging parameters revealed that 294 (42.6%) patients exhibited infarct expansion, with an average penumbra size of 23.5 mL. Hypoperfusion intensity ratio (HIR) quartiles demonstrated a notable association with progression rates, escalating from 27 (4%) patients in the first quartile to approximately 527 (77%) patients in the fourth quartile, highlighting a significant correlation between HIR and infarct expansion (p < 0.001). Conclusions HIR emerged as a pivotal factor strongly associated with rapid infarct expansion, underscoring its significance in predicting the trajectory of ischemic injury.